United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has said there is no alternative to holding local government elections before the national polls to reduce public suffering and assess the Election Commission's capacity. “We support holding the next national election within the timeframe announced by the interim government chief after necessary reforms. But before that, local elections are essential to test the EC’s capability,” he said. Jamaat meets EC,  demands local body polls before general election He also noted that the absence of elected representatives in local government bodies is worsening public suffering, while administrative control through bureaucrats is disrupting civic services. The Jamaat chief was addressing a day-long Rukon (Member) Training Camp organised by Sylhet city Jamaat on Friday. All city Rukon members attended the camp. Dr Shafiqur Rahman called upon Islami movement activists to prioritize earning Allah's satisfaction and uphold accountability to Him Referring to the party’s struggle, he said Jamaat faced severe oppression, including the execution of top leaders and loss of party registration and symbol. “Despite all odds, we remained steadfast on the path of truth, which has led to victory,” he added. No one should serve as PM for over 10 years in lifetime: Jamaat The Jamaat chief stressed that the July and August mass uprisings must not be forgotten, saying, “The sacrifices of our youth must be honoured; otherwise, no one will dare resist injustice in future.” He said Jamaat has selected potential candidates for all 300 parliamentary seats and is preparing for the next election, aiming to build a welfare-oriented society. Justice first, then reforms, then elections: Jamaat Nayeb-e-Ameer Central leaders Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair and Maulana Habibur Rahman also addressed the event, urging members to strengthen grassroots organisation and earn public trust through moral conduct and service.

BNP senior leader Salahuddin Ahmed on Saturday alleged that those advocating for a proportional representation (PR) system and prioritising local government elections may have intentions to delay or obstruct the upcoming national election. “Those who are talking about a proportional election system have a motive. Those who want local government elections before the national election also have a motive. Either they want the election to be delayed, or they want no election at all in Bangladesh. This could be their intention,” he said. Salahuddin made the remarks while speaking to reporters after a commemorative publication and archive unveiling programme on martyred President Ziaur Rahman, organised by the Bangladesh Research Analysis and Information Network (BRAIN) at the International Mother Language Institute Auditorium. The BNP leader said the people of Bangladesh are united in their demand for the national election to be held in early February next year. “All the democratic people of this country have not struggled for local government elections. We have fought for 17 years for a free, fair and neutral national election. We have lost countless lives to establish our right to vote,” he said. Salahuddin, a BNP Standing Committee Member, said the sacrifice of blood made by martyrs during the student-led mass uprising reflects the desire for a truly democratic state in this country. “We will certainly be able to build that democratic state if a political government is established through a free and fair national election,” he added. He said a consensus proposal has been made through a joint statement to hold the national election in the week before Ramadan begins and in the first half of February 2026, following discussions in London between Chief Advisor Prof Muhammad Yunus and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman. “It will only be effective when the Chief Adviser conveys the message and instructions to the Election Commission through the appropriate process in this regard…When the Chief Adviser’s Office, the Election Commission, or both together inform the nation, only then will we be truly assured that the election will be held at that time,” the BNP leader said. Opposing the Proportional Representation (PR) system, Salahuddin said it is not feasible in the Bangladesh context. “The PR system is not suitable for elections in Bangladesh. It is a complicated method,” he said. In a proportional representation system, the BNP leader said voters in a constituency will not know who their Member of Parliament will be, and they will not find a specific person to approach as their representative. BNP seeks polls timeline after Prof Yunus-CEC meeting: Rizvi “BNP rejected the idea of proportional representation a long time ago. This voting system has never been suitable for Bangladesh. We support the current system—one person, one vote—where voters elect their representative directly in each constituency,” he said. Salahuddin, however, said some may raise this as a political demand, and that is their right. “But there is no justification for imposing this demand on everyone.” Earlier in the day, addressing a grand rally organised by Islami Andolan Bangladesh at Suhrawardy Udyan, most Islamic party leaders, including Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar, said the people of the country will not accept any national election without the PR system. They also demanded that the local government election be held before the national one. Earlier speaking at the programme, Salahuddin raised questions about how consensus can be achieved through the ongoing discussion of the National Consensus Commission if the Commission wants its proposals to be accepted by all. The BNP leader said reforms are not a one-off event, but a continuous process. “What is the intention of the National Consensus Commission? If the intention is that everyone must accept the Commission’s proposal, then how can there be genuine consensus?” He said they are discussing the reform proposals and getting closer to a consensus. “We will adopt what is good for the nation. This is how we will move forward through this reform process and this reform will not end today as it is an ongoing process.” Salahuddin said the National Consensus Commission wants to carry out reforms in such a way that constitutional changes become permanent, preventing anyone from reversing them in the future. He, however, argued that the constitution is not like a sacred text or religious scripture. “Reforms should be flexible and able to be changed again after 10 or 20 years based on new demands from future generations.” Salahuddin said BNP is committed to carrying out constitutional, legal, and other reforms, as the party is the main proponent of the reform process. “We put forward our reform proposal one and a half years before the formation of the interim government. Our 31-point proposal has become a kind of political epic among the people of Bangladesh and within political circles,” he said. BNP’s ties with China strengthened through 'successful' visit: Fakhrul Salahuddin called upon the younger generation to follow the ideals of late President Ziaur Rahman, highlighting his life of honesty and dedication. Addressing the programme, Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki said it is unimaginable how Ziaur Rahman achieved so much and accomplished so many things within such a short span of his rule. “I think for all our political parties—those who will be in government in the future or in the opposition—Ziaur Rahman can serve as a good guide for them to follow,” he said. The adviser observed that Ziaur Rahman introduced the concept of Bangladesh nationalism, bringing together people from all communities to build an inclusive nation. At the beginning of the programme, a documentary on Ziaur Rahman was screened. Later, Salahuddin Ahmed inaugurated a commemorative publication compiled on the late President Ziaur Rahman, along with an internet archive dedicated to him.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh on Saturday placed a 16-point declaration from the grand rally at Suhrawardy Udyan demanding state reforms, justice, proportional representation (PR) system and strong resistance against all anti-state and anti-Islam conspiracies. The meeting was presided over by the Ameer of the Islami Andolon Bangladesh Mufti Rezaul Karim Their demands include restoring the principle of “absolute trust and faith in Almighty Allah” in the Constitution as a fundamental state principle alongside equality, human dignity and social justice. Islam is the safeguard of Bangladesh’s sovereignty which must be reflected in the constitution, it said. Islami Andolan Bangladesh demanded prompt action against activities that threaten Islam and the sovereignty of the country to prevent mass unrest. National unity must be built to resist all anti-state and anti-Islam conspiracies and to counter imperialist, expansionist and hegemonic forces, it added. It demanded introduction of  proportional representation (PR) electoral system in both proposed chambers in parliament, announcement of July Charter by next month to  fulfill the aspirations of the July 2024 uprising and build a discrimination-free, corruption-free Bangladesh. They demanded local government elections at all levels before the next national election and introduction of a provision to hold all future local polls under a non-partisan caretaker government ahead of the general election. Fundamental state reforms must be completed urgently to prevent future autocrats, corrupt individuals, looters, and terrorists from using state power to snatch people’s rights or destroy constitutional institutions through partisanship, it said. First session of Islami Andolan’s grand rally begins The administration must be restructured to ensure a level-playing field for fair elections, justice must be ensured for the crimes committed by the fallen fascist regime and diplomatic efforts must be intensified to bring fugitive criminals back to the country, it said. It demanded visible and effective initiatives to recover laundered money. Their other demands are: Law enforcement must act decisively to curb extortion, terrorism, and violence. All agreements signed with India must be made public, and any anti-national agreements must be revoked. Identifying the corrupt people, loan defaulters, and terrorists who must be disqualified from contesting elections. Before announcing the national election schedule, a fair, neutral and acceptable environment must be ensured.   The party warned that announcing the schedule under pressure from any political quarter or foreign country without ensuring equal opportunities for all would not be accepted. All forms of bribery, corruption, and harassment of citizens must stop and ‘politically motivated’ and ‘false’ cases must be withdrawn and mob violence must be prevented with appropriate legal measures. A united, ironclad alliance of patriotic and Islamic forces must be formed to defeat corrupt, extortionist and terrorist groups in the upcoming national election. To safeguard the country’s independence, sovereignty, public safety, communal harmony, peace, and progress, the party urged for the practice of the enlightened ideals of Islam in all levels of the state. Islami Andolan submits reform opinion to Consensus Commission Leaders from different political, religious, and social organisations participated in the grand rally included Gobinda Chandra Pramanik, General Secretary, Hindu Mahajot, Dayal Kumar Barua, President, Bodhigyan Bhabanakendra, Nirmol Rosario, President, Bangladesh Christian Association, and President, Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, Professor Mujibur Rahman, Nayeb-e-Ameer, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Professor Mia Golam Porwar, Secretary General, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Maulana Musa bin Izhar, Secretary General, Nezame Islam Party, Sarjis Alam, Chief Organiser, NCP (Northern Region), Nurul Haque Nur, President, Gono Odhikar Parishad and Mojibur Rahman Manju, President, AB Party.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Saturday said their party expects an announcement of a specific timeframe for the national election following a meeting between Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMN Nasir Uddin. “We believe that the expectations and aspirations of people will be reflected in setting the election date and the announcement of the election schedule,” Rizvi said. He made the remarks while speaking to reporters after visiting the China-Bangladesh Friendship Conference Centre, the venue for BNP’s inaugural programme of a 36-day series of events to mark the first anniversary of the July-August mass uprising, scheduled to begin on July 1. When asked by a journalist whether BNP expects a specific election date to be announced after the meeting between the Chief Adviser and the CEC, Rizvi replied, “We certainly hope so.” Earlier on Thursday, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMN Nasir Uddin had a courtesy meeting with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at the state guesthouse Jamuna. Rizvi said people’s hopes and expectations about the timing of the next election have been widely discussed across various platforms. He said the country’s people and political parties have confidence that Prof Yunus and the interim government will work for the welfare of people and in the interest of democracy. Rizvi slams ‘vested quarters’ for misusing BNP’s name to create chaos in govt offices The BNP leader said they also believe that the Chief Adviser will make arrangements to hold a free and fair election within the stipulated time so that people can elect their representatives who will be accountable to them. Rizvi voiced concerns that the nation is facing economic and social crises, with various forms of mob culture emerging. “We have to free the entire nation from it. We need to ensure such democracy in the coming days where public representatives are accountable to the people at every step. We need to create a situation where no one can become a godfather by becoming an MP, like during Sheikh Hasina's tenure,” he said. The BNP leader said the interim government should give more focus to the economy as growth is declining. “Last year, our economic growth was 4.2%; this time it has come down to 3.9%. If the economic situation continues to deteriorate like this, if there is no investment, then it will be very sad. We hope that the interim government will look into the economic issues,” he said. As long as the interim government is in power, Rizvi said, they will have to work to ensure the overall welfare of the people and a better life for them. “The (government) will have to hold the election after the necessary reforms, and it must be held within a logical time,” he added.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday night said his party’s relationship with the Communist Party of China (CPC) has become stronger through their successful visit to the country. “This was a political visit. We went to China at the invitation of the Communist Party of China, and it was a very successful tour. We had a good meeting with the CPC’s Politburo. The party-to-party relationship has become deeper and stronger,” he said while talking to reporters at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport upon his return from China. Fakhrul said the CPC invited BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, and the CPC leaders are happy with his leadership. “We also invited them... they accepted it.” He informed that they discussed signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the BNP and the CPC to hold a political dialogue within the next two years. “We were very impressed to see the progress China has made under the leadership of President Xi Jinping. China has reached a higher level in recent years with its economic, social, and political strength,” the BNP leader said. Fakhrul said he believed that China’s outstanding progress would not only benefit Bangladesh but also play an important role in maintaining global balance. Earlier, the nine-member high-level delegation of the BNP, led by Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, returned home from China after a five-day visit. They reached Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 10:40pm on a flight of Air China from Guangzhou. Officials from the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka welcomed them at the airport. The BNP leaders went to Beijing, China on Saturday night. During their trip, they held formal meetings with senior CPC leaders. The BNP delegation also visited the Museum of the Communist Party, the Great Wall, and several development sites including China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation in Beijing, a Smart City and Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone in Xi’an, Xi'an Jiaotong University, and a village in Shaanxi Province. The eight other BNP delegation members are BNP Standing Committee members Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Begum Selima Rahman; Chairperson's Advisers Zahir Uddin Swapan, Ismail Zabiullah, Professor Sukomal Barua; the party's media cell convener Dr Moudud Hossain Alamgir Pavel; and BNP Chairperson’s Personal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar.

A nine-member high-level delegation of the BNP, led by Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, returned home on Friday night from China after a five-day visit at the invitation of the Communist Party of China (CPC). They reached Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport for around 10:50pm on a flight of Air China, said BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. The eight other BNP delegation members are BNP Standing Committee members Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Begum Selima Rahman, Chairperson's Advisers Zahir Uddin Swapan, Ismail Zabiullah, Professor Sukomal Barua, party's media cell convener Dr Moudud Hossain Alamgir Pavel and BNP Chairperson’s Personal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar. During the visit, the BNP delegation had meetings with senior leaders of the CPC and discussed about bilateral issues and improving relations between the CPC and the BNP.  The BNP leaders went to Beijing, China on Saturday night.  Following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina regime on August 5 last year, China has intensified diplomatic engagement with various political parties in the country, including the BNP, newly-formed NCP and even a number of Islamist parties. On February 24, a 21-member ‘unique’ delegation consisting of leaders from eight political parties, including the BNP, led by BNP Standing Committee member Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan, visited China for an 11-day trip aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and enhancing cooperation between the two countries.

BNP senior leader Salahuddin Ahmed on Friday urged the interim government to assure the nation whether Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus conveyed to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) the message to prepare for holding the national election in the first half of February 2026. “We saw in the media that the Chief Election Commissioner met the Chief Adviser. After the London meeting, we expected that the Chief Adviser would formally inform the Election Commission about holding the national election in the first half of February 2026, before the start of Ramadan,” he said while talking to reporters at his Gulshan residence. As Prof Yunus held a meeting with the CEC on Thursday, Salahuddin, a BNP Standing Committee member, said they hoped that either the Chief Adviser’s office or the Election Commission would inform the media about what had been discussed. “Everyone is now assuming that the Chief Adviser conveyed his message to the Chief Election Commissioner regarding preparations for holding the elections in the first half of February 2026, the week before the start of Ramadan. That is our assumption,” he said. The BNP leader, however, said they did not know whether the Chief Adviser really communicated this message or gave any advice or instructions regarding the election. “If both sides clarify the matter before the nation, then we will be reassured.” Earlier on Thursday, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMN Nasir Uddin had a courtesy meeting with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at the state guesthouse Jamuna. BNP believes govt preparing for polls before Ramadan: Farroque Salahuddin said the Election Commission had said several times in the past that all preparations, including procurement processes, would be completed by September. He said the voter list update was already done, and other necessary procurement processes had also been completed. “Only the delimitation process remains, and that can be finished within three months… After the schedule is announced, there will be many activities, including appointing polling officers and presiding officers, setting up polling stations, and conducting training. These are ongoing processes. No special preparation is required for these,” the BNP leader said. When asked about the Jamaat-e-Islami and National Citizen Party’s (NCP's) demand for local elections before the parliamentary polls, Salahuddin dismissed the idea, saying it is not viable. “Political parties can make different demands, but most parties agree on holding the national election within the time mentioned by the Chief Adviser. There is no disagreement on this point,” he said. “It would be almost impossible for the Election Commission to conduct local government elections within this period. These elections – whether union parishad, municipality, upazila or city corporation – require at least six months to organise. If they go for local elections now, they might not be able to hold the national election on time,” the BNP leader said. Salahuddin said the priority must be on holding a free, fair, and neutral national election under the caretaker government. “We have fought for our voting rights, not for local government elections. The Election Commission’s main duty now is to prepare for the national election, reflecting the hopes and expectations of the people,” he said.

BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council Member Zainul Abedin Farroque on Friday said they believe the interim government is preparing to hold the national election before Ramadan in line with the Chief Adviser’s commitment. “Our humble request to Dr Muhammad Yunus is that you kindly live up to your commitment. An election will be held in the country before Ramadan, and the government is certainly preparing for it. We are hopeful about it,” he said. The BNP leader made the remarks while speaking at a discussion meeting organised by the Education Development Campaign at the Jatiya Press Club. Farroque, a former opposition chief whip in parliament, said the government has already delayed the election. “So, let there be no further delay.” He recalled that Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed arranged the national election within three months after the fall of the Ershad government. Rizvi slams ‘vested quarters’ for misusing BNP’s name to create chaos in govt offices “If you had ended the shameful chapter of the past 16 years and held the election within three or even six months, your name would have been written in golden letters in Bangladesh’s history. However, it is already late. Still, we are hopeful that the election will be held before Ramadan,” the BNP leader said. He said there are now talks that some party will get 200 to 300 seats, which is creating doubt in the public mind. Farroque mentioned that some people are still skeptical that elections will not be held until the new party (NCP) becomes stronger. “But after the London meeting, I am confident as a political activist that the election will be held before Ramadan,” he said. The BNP leader also said the development and improvement of the election system, law and order, and constitutional institutions, including the Anti-Corruption Commission, will depend on the future government. He expressed the hope that the next government will learn from the atrocities and repression of the Hasina government and ensure that such incidents do not happen again.    He stressed that the judiciary and constitutional institutions must work independently. He said the education sector will be given the highest priority if BNP forms the government through a fair election. “When an elected government is formed, elected representatives will address the problems in the education sector. If we cannot improve education, the development of the country and the nation will not be possible. This is clear,” Farroque said. BNP announces programmes marking anniversary of July-August uprising He alleged that the education system was ruined by former Education Minister Dipu Moni during the Awami League regime. “There are no words to describe how Sheikh Hasina and her father have destroyed the education system. Those who used to speak about democracy in the country did not speak about education,” the BNP leader observed.  

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Friday criticised 'vested quarters' as they are trying to create chaos in various offices, including the Income Tax office, by carrying out movements in BNP’s name for their personal gains. “Those who are carrying out movement in the name of BNP at the Income Tax office or in other departments are not part of BNP. They are doing it for their own benefit,” he said. Rizvi made the remarks while speaking at a discussion organised by Bangladesh Puja Udjapon Front in the capital’s Nayapaltan’s Bhasani Bhaban, marking the Rath Yatra festival. He warned that some individuals are trying to introduce new activities in BNP’s name to establish their dominance in various sectors and government offices. “All those who believe in nationalist ideology should be careful about them. Tarique Rahman is taking strict steps against them. But even then, many are tarnishing the image of BNP using its name,” the BNP leader said. BNP announces programmes marking anniversary of July-August uprising Rizvi said he has heard about one person who is carrying out a movement in the Income Tax Office, misusing the name of BNP. “He (that person) is now trying to remove the (NBR) chairman and will try to remove someone else in the future. Who gave him that responsibility? I am the Senior Joint Secretary General of BNP, I don't know about it. You yourself started a movement in an office using BNP’s name. There are many other BNP leaders there, no one knows about it,” he alleged. Urging BNP leaders and activists to be vigilant about those who are committing misdeeds in the name of BNP, Rizvi said, “The opportunity created through blood and struggle will help build a better political environment in the days to come. True democracy will be established.” He said although BNP criticises the interim government for its shortcomings, it also supports good work done by the government. Rizvi expressed  the hope that the government will hold the national election at a reasonable time as per the discussion between Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman in London. He said arrested former Chief Election Commissioner Habibul Awal admitted that the 2024 election was a dummy election. “His such remark clearly shows that all elections were held illegally during (Sheikh) Hasina's tenure.” The BNP leader claimed that some people lurking inside the administration, who are beneficiaries of the fascist Awami League, are trying to confuse people by creating chaos in different departments in various ways. “We must remain alert about them.”    

BNP on Thursday announced a series of programmes to observe the first anniversary of the July-August mass uprising, which led to the ousting of autocratic ruler Sheikh Hasina from power on August 5, 2024. BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the programmes at a press conference held at the party’s Nayapaltan central office. Rizvi said the party will observe the anniversary with a month-long programme featuring at least 22 different events. The programmes include discussion meetings, blood donation drives, graffiti, street theatre, football tournaments, events on children's rights and public awareness campaigns on preventing dengue and COVID-19. BNP to begin seat-sharing talks with allies after election schedule: Khosru Rizvi said the programme will begin on July 1 with a discussion meeting at the China-Bangladesh Friendship Conference Centre. Representatives from all political parties, as well as families of those killed or injured during the July-August 2024 uprising, will be invited to take part in the event. “The people achieved a historic victory through united resistance on August 6 last year. Sheikh Hasina was forced to flee the country on that day,” Rizvi claimed. Earlier, the party formed a 58-member committee titled the ‘July-August Mass Uprising, Mourning and Victory Anniversary Observance Committee’, with Rizvi as the convener and Dhaka University Professor Morshed Hasan Khan as the member secretary. BNP vows to rebuild education, curb brain drain Besides, seven sub-committees have been formed to coordinate various aspects of the observance, including management, publicity, discipline, reception, communication, hospitality and office affairs.